KALAMAZOO, MI -- A pair of local blues favorites will headline this year's WRKR/Budweiser Blues Series at the Kalamazoo State Theatre.

The Bud Blues Series, put on by Kalamazoo rock radio station WRKR-FM (107.7), will feature seven groups over four nights starting on Feb. 14 and continuing through April 11. Frequent Kalamazoo performers Tab Benoit and Tommy Castro will return for the blues series again this year.

Castro & The Painkillers will kick off the series on Valentine's Day, while Benoit will play on Feb. 21 with support from Tommy Malone's Two Man Band.

Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, another familiar names to local blues fans, will perform with Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater on March 14.

Saginaw native Sharrie Williams will headline the Ladies Night with Sena Ehrhardt to close out the series on April 11.

Tickets are on sale now. They are $18 in advance or $20 the day of the show. All concerts will begin at 8 p.m.

Ticket discounts are also available with a WRKR Card, State Theatre VIP Card or a Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association Card. They are only valid at the State Theatre box office, 404 S. Burdick St. The discounted rate is $60 for a series pass purchased before Feb. 14, or $16 per show.